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PORT ADELAIDE emerged victorious in a nail-biting 15-point qualifying final win over Sturt at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
The Magpies staved off the Double Blues’ late-game charge, where they booted seven of the last 11 goals of the game to come within two points late in the match.
Late goals to Tom Gray and Brett Eddy got Port to the line, and booked Port for a second semi final against Woodville-West Torrens next Sunday.
Despite falling away late in the game, Port set itself up with a bumper first half.
While Sturt raced out of the gate early and scored the first two goals, the Magpies fought hard to force turnovers in the midfield and pushed up to secure the ball in their forward line.
The Magpies swung the momentum their way half way through the quarter with their high defensive pressure ensuring the Double Blues were unable to convert for 51 minutes between their second and third goals.
Brett Eddy dominated in the forward line his specky marks inside 50 and great positioning around clearances ensured he finished the game with four goals, while Snelling was strong through the midfield along with lead ruckman Matt Lobbe.
Sturt’s surge after half time tested Port. The Double Blues positioned themselves well and found space in their attacking 50 to allow them to close the gap to two points half way through the final quarter.
What a game! @PAFC (89) def. @SturtFC (74) The 4th Qtr Port held out Sturt to win a close contest! Listen to the boys sing the song @SANFL pic.twitter.com/HXsmfraKBQ
— 7SANFL (@7SANFL) September 2, 2017
Aaron Young’s courageous push through the forward line delivered the ball to Tom Gray just inside 50 who converted for a goal and gave the Magpies enough breathing space to reach the final siren in front.
Port Adelaide plays Woodville-West Torrens at in the second semi final on Sunday 10 September at 3.10pm.
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 4.5 9.7 10.7 13.11 (89)
Sturt 2.2 4.4 9.5 11.8 (74)
Goals
Eddy 4, Lobbe, Palmer 2, Monfries, A. Young, R. Young, Trengove, T. Gray
Best
Lobbe, Snelling, A.Young, Toumpas, White, Impey
Crowd
10,429 at Adelaide Oval